Liquid handling apparatus for delivering paints and other liquid materials to spray guns



Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY 2,846,123

,LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORRussell J. Gray 2,846,123 LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR'DELIVERINGPAINTS AND R. J. GRAY Aug. 5, 1958 OTHER LIQUID MATERIALS T0 SPRAY GUNSFiled March 26, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Russell J. Gray BY2,846,123 LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND R. J. GRAYAug 5, 1958 QTHER LIQUID MATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 llSheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Russell J. Gray TTORNEY Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY2,846,123

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 s I E 12"i Q o JZ INVENTOR Russell .1. Gray A NEY Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY2,846,123

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 I ll Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR Ruse]! J. Gray A ORNEY Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY LIQUID HANDLINGAPPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUID MATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNSFiled March 26, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTGR Russell J. Gray Aug. 5,1958 R. J. GRAY 2,

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS T0 SPRAY GUNS l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 1 Filed March 26, 1949 /Z3 WWA TORNEY R. J. GRAY HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DEL-IVE n. 8 n W 6 h 4 S 8 .rN 2 6 S e T h N S I 1 A81 N U G N I R Aug. 5, I958 LIQUID OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY G Filed March 26, 1949 m5 my 00 m9 INVENTOR RussellJ. Gray QIRNEY Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY 2,

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR.Russell J. Gray BY Alla/nay Aug. 5, 1958 R. J. GRAY 2,846,123

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS T0 SPRAY GUNS Filed March 26, 1949 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 lNVENTORI Russell .1 6m

CDRNEY Aug. 5, 1958 R J GRAY 2,846,123

LIQUID HANDLING APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUIDMATERIALS TO SPRAY GUNS Fild March 26, 1949 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Z06 20. 1r/ aa lugmkg Egan; w

IN VEN TOR.

Russell J. Gray A/Iamay United States Patent" LIQUID HANDLILJG APPARATUSFOR DELIVER- ING PAINTS AND OTHER LIQUID MATERIALS T SPRAY GUNS RussellJ. Gray, Meadeville, Minm, assignor to Gray Company, Inc., Minneapolis,Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application March 26, 1949, Serial No.83,708

21 Claims. (Cl. 222-240) The present invention relates to liquidhandling apparatus for delivering paints and other liquids to sprayguns.

My present invention further relates to paint-mixing andpaint-dispensing apparatus, and particularly to paintmixing andpaint-dispensing apparatus which can be used to agitate or mix paint inthe original container as well as to dispense the paint directly fromsuch original container directly to an air-operated spray-gun, nozzle orthe like. One of the objects of the present invention is a portablepaint-mixing and paint-dispensing apparatus within which an originalmerchandising container filled with paint may be placed whereby thepaint will be thoroughly mixed and agitated within the originalcontainer and dispense directly therefrom to the spray-gun or nozle.

Another object of the present invention is a paint-mixing andpaint-dispensing apparatus which is supported by or which rests upon anoriginal paint-vending container, which container is generally too largeto be readily portable.

One aspect of the present invention is a paint-vending and mixingmachine which comprises a single deliveryhose through which the paint issupplied from an original merchandising container to the spray-gun ornozzle.

Another aspect of the present invention is a paint-mixing and vendingapparatus which comprises a delivery line through which paint may besupplied to the spraygun or nozzle and which also comprises return linethrough which any unused paint may be returned to said container; thesetwo lines comprising a circulatory system through which the paint mayflow and circulate so as to prevent any sedimentation or deposit ofpigment within the delivery or return lines.

Another aspect of the present invention is a paintmixing and dispensingapparatus which may be used, alternatively, either as a single-linepaint-dispensing apparatus by which paint may be supplied directly tothe spray-gun or nozzle, or which, on the other hand, may be used as adual-line supply system through which paint may be supplied to thespray-gun or nozzle and through which any unused paint may be returnedto the original container.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a paint-pumpor supply system which incorporates therewith a plurality of circulatorychannels or passageways through which the paint may be circulated andagitated, and which also includes an agitating blade associatedtherewith, whereby the paint, as supplied in the original merchandisingcontainer, may be thoroughly mixed and agitated before being supplied tothe spraygun or nozzle by said pumping apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air-operatedfluid-pump wherein the motive-power for said pump may be secured fromthe same compressedair-line which is used to operate the spray-gun ornozzle to which said fluid is supplied.

An additional object of the present invention is. to pro- 1 2,846,123Patented Aug. 5, 1958 vide a paint-mixing and dispensing system whereinthe paint-pumping and mixing apparatus may be located remotely from thespray-booth or point of application where the spray-gun or nozzle isoperated. An aspect of the present invention is a novel. method in whichthe paintagitating pump is mounted eccentrically upon the originalmerchandising container so that the paint-fluid or ingredients, at anypoint within the original container, may be thoroughly agitated andmixed.

A further aspect or phase of the present invention is a novelarrangement of valves and supply-lines whereby completely mixed paintmay be supplied to a spray-gun or nozzle without the danger of foreignmatter or sedimentation clogging up the system and which permits theentire system to be shut down or be rendered inoperative for prolongedperiods of time and thereafter to be once again operated without thenecessity of dismantling the entire system and cleaning the same beforethoroughly mixed paint may be supplied to the spray-gun or nozzle.

Other phases, aspects and features of the present invention will appearmore fully from the accompanying drawings, and the followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying claims to definethe scope of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference charactersindicate like parts;

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the portable single-lineembodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view similar to Figure 1, partlybroken away.

Figure 3 represents a top plan view of the embodiment of Figures 1 and'2.

Figure 4 represents a side elevational view, partly broken away.

Figure 5 represents a horizontal cross-section on line 5-5 of Figure 1showing the rotary air motor and the manually operable air-regulatingvalve.

Figure 6 represents a horizontal cross-sectional view of the airpressure regulator or adjustable air-pressure reducing valve, takengenerally on line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 represents a vertical elevational view, partly broken away, ofa dual-line paint-circulator, being another embodiment of the presentinvention.

Figure 8 represents a top plan view of the same.

Figure 9 represents a top plan view of the pumping unit forming a partthereof.

Figure 10 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the pump unittaken generally on line 1010 of Figure 9, but with the air-motor not insection.

Figure IO-a represents an enlarged vertical section of the pumpshaft-seal shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10-b represents a vertical cross-sectional view of a modifiedform of connection between the pump and drive shaft.

Figure 11 represents a similar vertical cross-sectional view at fromthat shown in Figure 10, and taken generally. on line 11-11 of Figure10.

Figure 12 represents a section on line 12-12 of Figure 10.

Figure 12-a represents a cross-sectional view generally along lines12w12-a of Figure 10.

Figure 13 represents a plan view of the underside of the dual-linepaint-circulating embodiment of the present invention, viewed fromunderneath.

Figure 14 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the paint-returncontrol valve, taken generally on line 1414 of Figure 8.

Figure 15 represents a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally online 15-15 of Figure 8.

Figure 16 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view takengenerally on line 16-46 of Figure 8,

showing the roller support for the unit, for resting it upon the edge ofa drum, together with one of the levelling screws or elevating screws,by means of which the unit may be adjusted upon the drum both for heightas well as for levelling.

Figure 17 represents a diagrammatic view showing an installation of thedual-line paint-return embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 represents a top plan view, partly in horizontal cross-sectionon line 1818 of Figure 19, showing a modified embodiment of the present.invention, which maybe used with either a single line or a dual lineform of the invention.

Figure 18-6: represents an enlarged section of the return-valve shown inFigure 18, with the valve turned 90 from the position shown in Figure18.

Figure 19 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodimentshown in Figure 18, taken generally on line 19-19 of Figure 18, but withthe air-motor not sectioned.

Figure 20 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodimentshown in Figures 18 and 19, but taken at a right angle to the sectionshown in Figure 19, namely, generally on line 2020 of Figure 19.

Figure 21 represents a section on line 2121 of Figure 19.

Figure 22 represents an enlarged view of the front elevation of thecirculating junction-member shown in Figure 17.

Figure 23 represents a vertical section along lines 2323 of Figure 22.

Figure 24 represents a front elevation of the 3-way valve used in thedual-line system of Figure 17.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 and 9to 12 inclusive, the original shippers container 30, containing thepaint, is placed upon a wheeled, portable base 31 mounted upon three ormore casters 32.

The pump-supporting and paint-enclosing shield 33, including a generallycylindrical body 34, and a dome like top 35, is placed over the paintcontainer 30, and held in place upon the base 31 by a plurality (3 or 4)of elongated flat retainer-lugs 36, which can be turned so as to overliethe horizontal basal flange 37 of the cylindrical side wall 34 of theshield, and which can then be tightened in place by turning the knurlednuts 38 on the screw-studs 39 carried by the base 31. By loosening thenuts 38 slightly and then turning the lugs 36 tangentially, they willclear the flange 37 so as to permit the removal of the shield 34 and thepumping unit carried thereby.

A pair of handles 40 may be provided to facilitate the handling of theshield and the pumping unit carried thereby.

In the top 35 of the shield 33, an aperture 41 is provided, as indicatedparticularly in Figure 11, over which the motor and pump supportingdistributor-head 42 is mounted, preferably off center, as shown inFigures 3 and 4, and held in place by a plurality of screw-studs, 4-3,preferably welded or otherwise secured to the top 35, around the opening41 therein, and the nuts 44, engaging the basal flange 45 of thedistributor-head 42.

The distributor-head 42 comprises an upwardly extending motor-support46, including the horizontally disposed motor-retainer ring 47, in whichthe coaxial hub 48 of the motor housing 49 is disposed, and held inplace by one or more set screws 50.

Motor 4-9 is preferably a multi-vane rotary air motor as shownparticularly in Figure 5, including the rotor 51, and vanes 52, whichare held out by centrifugal force, and also by air pressure, against theside Wall of the eccentric motor chamber 53.

To the inlet port 54 of the air-motor, a control valve housing 55, isscrew-threadedly secured (as shown in Figure having a valve seat 56, andhaving the airinlet opening 57, entering into the valve housing 55,

4 beyond the valve seat 56. The needle valve 58, is carried by a valvestem 59, screw-threaded into the bore 60 of the valve housing 55. Thevalve stem 59 has an outer extension 6.1, containing a peripheralring-receiving groove 62, in which an O-type sealing ring 63 isdisposed, for making a slidable air-tight seal between the cylindricalvalve-stem extension 61 and the inner cylindrical bore 64 of the valvehousing 55. An externally knurled cap 65 is mounted upon the outerextension of the valve stem, and secured thereon by means of the setscrew 66, whereby the valve stem and valve may be rotated.

The sleeve-like extension 67 on the control cap or knob 65 overlaps thevalve housing 55, as shown more particularly in Figure 5, and is formedwith a thin tapered edge adjacent to said valve-body, along whichthin-tapered edge graduated marker-lines are provided, which may benumbered, as shown, particularly, at 68, in Figures 3 and 10, whichnumbered graduations may then be set against the pointer or zero line 69on the top of the valve-body 55, for any desired selective setting ofthe air-control valve, thereby to obtain any desired motor speed andpaint delivery rate.

The air discharge port 79 of the air-motor 49 may be provided with anydesired mufller 71 having a series of radial apertures 72, distributedaround its circumference, through which the exhaust air may bedispersed.

In axial alignment with the motor shaft 73, is a journalbushing orbearing-bushing 74, screw-threadedly or otherwise mounted, as at 75, inthe housing 42, and having a bearing sleeve 76 therein, for journallingthe transmission shaft 77.

The transmission shaft 77 is of a slightly larger diameter below theshoulder 78 thereof, and has its lower end provided with an axial hereto a suitable depth, across which a keying slot at 79 is provided; saidaxial bore being adapted to receive the upper end of the pump driveshaft 80. A transverse pin 81, extending through the upper end of thepump-shaft 3t}, enters the slot 79, to key the pump-shaft to thetransmission-shaft 77, against relative rotation. This keying may,alternatively, be affected by securing a collar 167 to the pump shaft,by means of a set screw as 1674: and having a pair of lugs 10741extending upwardly from said collar into the slot 79, as shown in Figure10-5.

The pump, designated generally by the numeral 82, may be supported ingenerally rigid relationship to the housing 42, by a single tubularpaint delivery pipestaznl or riser tube 83, the upper end of which isscrew-tl'lreaded or otherwise rigidly secured into the intake-opening 31of the housing 42, as by the screw threads 85, and the lower end ofwhich is similarly secured into the threaded opening 86 of thepump-housing 32.

An axially slidable metallic sleeve 87 is placed over thereduced-diameter upper portion of the transmission shaft 77, directlybeneath the journal bushing 74, and said sleeve 87 has an internalring-receiving groove 88, shown particularly in Figure l0-a into whichan O-ring is placed, for forming a static seal between the transmissionshaft 77 and the metallic sleeve 87. The upper edge 89, of the sleeve87, is held against the underside 90 of the bushing 74, both by thespring 91 as well as by the pressure of the paint or other fluid passingthrough the inlet chamber 84, and thereby forming a metal-to-metalhydraulic seal between sleeve 87 and the bushing 74, and hence betweenthe transmission shaft 77 and the bushing 74. The bushing 74, is, inturn, sealed to the housing 42, by any suitable gasket 92 interposedbetween the head of the bushing and the seat 93 of the housing.

A Z-pronged flexible coupler collar 95 is mounted upon the lower end ofthe motor-shaft 73, by means of the set screw 96, and a similar2-pronged flexible coupler collar 97 is mounted on the upper end of thetransmission shaft 77 and held thereon by the set screw 98, with afour-pronged rubber, leather or other resilient disc 99 aurasintermediate the collars 95 and 97 to form a more or less resilientconnection between the motor shaft 73 and the transmission shaft 7 7 Thepump housing 82 has a lower bearing plate 100 secured thereto bysuitable screws 101.

The drive shaft 80 of the pump is journalled at its upper end in thebearing sleeve 102, at the top of the housing, and journalled in thebearing opening 104, in the bearing plate 100.

A ball thrust bearing 105 is mounted upon the upper end of the driveshaft 80 of the pump intermediate the upper surface 106 of the pumphousing, and the lower end of the transmission shaft 77 or between saidhousingsurface 106 and the lower surface of the coupling collar 107,thereby to give vertical support for the transmission shaft 77.

An inlet port 109 (Figure 12-a) is provided, through the bearing plate100, which communicates with the intake chamber 110 of the pump-housing82.

The idler shaft 111 is stationarily supported at its upper end in acorresponding recess 112 in the pump housing 82, while its lower end issimilarly supported in the recess or aperture 113 in the bearing plate100. A driving gear 114 is keyed or otherwise secured to the drive shaft80 of the pump, while a like idler gear 115 is journalled on thestationary idler shaft 111. The gears 114 and 115 are in mesh with eachother and revolve in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows 116and 117, respectively, thereby propelling the paint from the intakechamber 110 towards the discharge chamber 118, which discharge chamber118 extends vertically upwardly through the stationary spacer block 119and through the upper horizontal wall 120 of the pump housing 82, andthus communicates with the interior of the pipe-transmission andpump-supporting standpipe or riser tube 83.

A paint agitating and pump charging propeller 121 is mounted upon thelower extension of the drive shaft 80 of the pump 82, exteriorly orbelow the bearing plate 100, and is keyed thereto by means of the pin122 which extends through the shaft 80 and enters corresponding recessesor slots in the hub of the propeller, as shown particularly in Figuresaid propeller being held on the shaft 80 by means of a cap nut 123screw-threadedly secured to the outer end of the shaft 80.

The propeller 121 is oif center in respect to the axis of the paintcontainer 30, and is near the bottom of said paint container, thusserving to agitate and stir the paintcontents of the container 30, atall times, while the apparatus is in operation, thereby to maintainuniform consistency of the paint and to prevent the settling out ofpigment or other solid constituents of the paint. The propeller 121 alsoserves to prime the pump 82 and to keep it well charged at all times;the propeller being beneath and in operative alignment with the intakeport 109 in the bearing plate 100. By reason of the off centerdisposition of the propeller 121 in respect to the shield 34, or inrespect to the pump supporting member 35, and by reason of the propeller121 being near the bottom of the paint container 30, the propeller notonly stirs the paint in the comparatively small vertically projectedarea of the propeller, but also throughout the entire paint mass,because it creates a circulation of the paint within the container whichwill cause the stirring or mixing action of the propeller 121 to becomeeffective throughout the mass of paint Within the container; bringingpaint from the remotest part of the container to the propeller. If apail of paint has settled out to any extreme extent, by reason of itshaving been left undisturbed for a long time in one position, thepump-carrying cover or shield 35 may be rotated manually, slowly, tobring the propeller 101 around to difierent parts of the container, soas to bring it into more direct contact with any very viscoussedimentation, until such viscous sedimentation has been 6' disbursedsuificiently to permit the free fluid-circulation within the containerunder the influence of the propeller.

The height of the spacer 119 and the height of the gears 114 and is suchthat their combined height or axial dimensions will approximately equalthe height of the gear chamber 125 within the pump housing 82. Byvarying the relative axial dimensions of spacer 119 and gears 114 and115, respectively, the displacement of the pump may be varied to suitany requirements (with the seat of rotation remaining the same).

By-passageway 126 is extended from the discharge chamber 118 of thepump, down through a by-pass port 127 in the bearing plate 100, past aball check valve 128. The spring-tension ball check valve 128 permitsthe bypassing of the paint, from the pump, directly back into thecontainer 30, if the pressure developed within the pump exceeds thepressure for which the check valve is set.

A second by-pass valve is also provided in direct communication with theintake chamber 84 of the housing 42 (as shown in Figure 10, with asimilar valve shown on larger scale in Figure 14), said by-pass valveincluding the valve seat 129, against which the ball check valve 130 isseated by the compression spring 131 which is interposed between theshoulder 132 on the valve-closing stem and valve-adjusting stem 133 andthe ball 130. The stem 133 is provided with a ring-receiving groove 134in which an O-ring 135 is exposed, for forming a slidable hydraulic sealbetween said stem and the cylindrical bore 136 within the housing 42,which bore forms a part of the by-pa-ss valve. The outer portion 137 ofthe stem 133 is reduced in diameter and threaded, and is threadedthrough the bushing or gland 138, which, in turn,is screwdhreadedlysecured to the housing as at 139. At the outer end of the stern 133 aknurled knob 140 is secured, whereby the stem 133 may be rotated.

By turning the knob 140, the compression of the spring 131 may be variedto vary the hydraulic pressure under the influence of which the valve130 will be unseated from its seat 129, while the inner extension 141 ofthe stem 133 can also be made to bear directly against the ball 130, soas positively to seat it against its valve-seat 129, thereby to form atight closure, without any bypassing possibilities.

T he by-pass valve 128 in the pump 82 is preferably set at a relativelyhigh limit, so that the by-passing pressure may be adjusted by means ofthe variable tensioning of the spring 131, if a by-passing pressure isdesired below the by-passing pressure for which the valve 128 is set;whereas if the valve 130 is positively held against its seat 129, thenthe by-pass valve 128 will serve as the safetyrelease for the pump.

The discharge port 142 of the by-pass valve in the housing 42, isdirected downwardly and discharges directly into the paint container 30,or it may have a short pipe-extension connected therewith and extendingdownwardly into the paint container.

The intake chamber 84 in the housing 42 has one large side-opening shownparticularly in Figure 11, against which a diaphragm 143 is placed, heldin place between the flat diaphragm-seat on the housing 42, surroundingthe side opening of chamber 84, and the corresponding flat seat on thejuxtaposed face of the gauge block 144. The chamber and passageway 145are within the gauge block 144, in communication with the gauge-side ofthe diaphragm 143, and are filled with a suitable hydraulic oil, so thatthe pressure gauge 146, carried by the gauge block 144, will indicatethe pressure of the paint in the chamber 84, without the paint actuallyentering the Bourdon Tube of the gauge 146.

To the discharge-passageway 147 of the housing 42, a shut off valve 148is connected, and to it, in turn, a filter or strainer 149 is connected.A hose 150 is, in turn, connected to the discharge side of the strainer149.

The hose 150 is connected to the paint-inlet 151 of the paint gun 152.

The air-supply hose 153 (connected to any suitable supply of compressedair) is connected to a pipe fitting 154 and to the pressure-reducing andregulating valve housing 155. The valve housing 155 is secured to theupper shield member 35, by a screw-post or stud 156, the upper end ofwhich is screwed into a suitable blind aperture in the housing 155, andthe lower end of which is extended through the upper shield 35 andfastened thereto by the nut 157. A copper tubing or other suitableconduit 158, preferably with a loop therein to allow for adjustment, isinterposed between side opening 159 in the fitting 154, and the inletopening 57 on the motor-control valve housing 55.

The pressure reducing control valve (shown particularly in Figure 6)includes a small-diametered valve seat 160, against which a suitablygasketed valve 161 is urged by the spring 162, and the air pressureagainst diaphragm 163, the valve 161 tends to be unseated by one or morelarger compression springs 164 interposed between said diaphragm 163 andthe spring plate 165 on the vented side of the diaphragm 163 within thecap 166 of the pressure regulator 155. The spring plate is in turn,backed up by the regulator screw 167. The valve 161 has a valve stem168, the end of which abuts the rivet 170, which connects thespring-saddle 169 to the diaphragm 163. Thus, when the pressure is low,the springs 164 will unseat the valve 161, to permit the passage of theair in the direction indicated by the arrows (Figure 6), while when theair pressure is increased ,the air pressure, acting upon the diaphragm163, overcomes the force of the springs 164, and permits the weakerspring 162 to re-seat the valve 161 and thereby shut the air oif. Theregulation is affected by the seating and unseating of the valve 161, inthis manner, by the maintenance of said valve in a slightly un-seatedposition in respect to the valve seat 155.

By changing the position of the screw 167, the pressure of the air onthe discharge side 171, of the valve 161 can be adjusted.

To the regulated side or chamber 171, a pressure gauge 172 is connectedto indicate the pressure of the air being actually delivered to thepaint gun 152 through the hose 173 and to the shut off valve 174.

The paint strainer 149 (shown particularly in Figure includes afine-mesh wire-screen cylinder 175, the upper end of which is held in asuitable recess 176 surrounding the inlet passageway 177 of the housing149, while the lower end is held in a similar recess in a removablescrew plug 178 in the lower end of the screen chamber 179. The paintenters into the cylindrical wirescreen 175, and passes outwardlythere-through into the chamber 179, and then out into the dischargepassageway 138, and then to the paint hose 150.

An access opening 181 (Figures 3 and 8) is provided in the upper shieldmember 35, over which a closure disc 182 is pivotally secured by meansof the pivot belt or screw or rivet 183; the closure-disc 182 beingprovided with a knob 184 at a point opposite tothe pivot 183, so that itmay be swung to either side to uncover the access opening 181.

A plurality of hose-retaining brackets 185 may be provided around theside wall 34 of the shield 35, in the manner indicated in Figure 1,joined at their upper ends by a ring 186 to form a hose-storage rack,into which the hoses d and 173 may be coiled when the apparatus is notin use.

in the dual-line paint-circulating embodiment of the present inventio-n(shown particularly in Figures 7, 8 and 13 to 17 inclusive), only theupper pump-supporting shield member 35 is used, to the depending flangeof which the handles 49 are secured, and which is supported upon the rimof the original paint container such as the drum 30, as shownparticularly in Figure 7 and Figure 16.

In this embodiment, the pump-supporting shield 35 is preferably notrested directly upon the upper rim or bead 187 of the paint drum 30, butis, instead, adjustably supported upon a pronged spider 188, (having 3or more suitable metal legs) by means of a corresponding number ofadjustment screws 189. Each of the screws 189 is extended through acorresponding leg of the spider 183 near the outer end, and isscrew-threaded therein. The upper end of the screw 189 has twosuccessively enlarged diametered portions 190 and 191, respectively;portion 191 passing through a correspondingly diametered hole 19?; inthe horizontal surface of the shield 35. A washer 193 may be interposedbetween a shoulder intervening the portions 190 and 191 of theadjustment screw and the shield 35, to cover over the hole 192 and toprevent dirt going through said hole. A washer 194 rests on a cotter-pinor other fastening device 195, and serves to take the weight of theshield 35 and the pump carried thereby and to transmit it to the screw189, thereby to support said shield and the pump upon the spider 188. Tothe outer ends of each of the legs of the spider 188 a roller 196 isrotatably secured upon an axle or pin 197 held by an inverted U-shapedyoke or bracket 199 the inverted base of which is fastened to theunderside of the leg of the spider 188. The rollers 196, in turn, restupon the edge 187 of the drum 3d. The axis of the roller is generally ina radial direction. The outer leg 200 of the inverted U-shaped bracketor yoke 199 is preferably longer so as to extend down beneath the upperedge of 137 of the drum 30, thereby to prevent any roller 196 fromleaving said edge.

By turning the handle 201 of the adjustment screws 139 the pump support35 can be raised or lowered within the limitations of the screws 189 andcan be leveled, notwithstanding any unevenness of the edge 187 of thepaint-drum 30. This permits the leveling of the pump support 35, tocompensate for any irregularities in the floor upon which the paint-drum30 rests or to compensate for any other unevenness in alignment.

Because of the roller-support, the shield 35, together with the pumpcarried thereby, may be rotated to and fro, in respect to the paint-drum30. By this means the hose-outlets may be directed in the direction ofthe wall upon which the pipe connections are mounted. By this means,also, the propeller 121 may be re-located in the drum, if necessary, todislodge unusually heavy sedimentations.

In the dual-line embodiment, the paint-delivery line 150, instead ofbeing attached directly to the spray-gun 152, may be connected to oneside of a 3-way valve 229 as is shown in Figure 17. The valve 220 may befastened to the wall of the paint-mixing room where the drums 30containing the paint are customarily stored.

A plurality of the drums 30 and the pumping units may be connected tothe 3-way valve 220, and the handle 221 thereon may be operativelydisposed so as to connect the discharge hose from one or the other ofthe drums attached to the 3-way valve 220. The outlet of the 3-Way valve220 may be operatively connected to the paint-delivery line 206 whichcarries the paint from the paint-mixing room to the remotely positionedspray-booth where the spray-gun 152 is operated.

Thus, by means of the 3-Way valve 228, the paintdelivery line 206 isconnected to each of two similar paint-delivery hoses 150, either ofwhich may then be connected, alternatively, into the line 206 by turningthe handle 221 in either of its two opposed extreme positions, toconnect either one or the other of the hose lines 150, and hence eitherone or the other of the paintdrurns 30, to the paint-delivery line 206.Similarly, by means of another 3-way valve 220, a paint-return line 208(which brings unused paint from the spray-booth back to the paint-mixingroom) may be, alternatively, connected to either one or the other of twosimilar paintreturn hoses 209 and hence to either one or the other drumof paint into position or notwithstanding the need for mixing a batch ofpaint for the particular painting operation; one of the paint-supplypumps being in operation when the other one is disconnected.

The paint-delivery line 206 and the paint-return line 208 are eachconnected, remotely from the paint-mixing room and adjacent thespray-booth where the spray-gun 152 is to be operated, to a circulatingjunction-member 203 mounted upon the wall or other support near wherethe spray-gun 152 is to be used. The circulating junction-member 203 hasa circulating passageway 204 therethrough, to the inlet side 205 ofwhich the paint-delivery line 206 is connected and to the outlet side207 of which the paint-return line 208 is connected.

The circulating junction-member 203 is provided with a paint-outlet 215to which the paint-delivery hose 150a is connected and through which thepaint is delivered to the spray-gun 152, as shown more clearly in Figure17. In the dual-line paint-circulating system shown in Figure 17, thecompressed air is supplied to the spray-booth and paint-mixing roomthrough a pipeline 153-a which is remotely attached to an air-comshieldmember 35); which pressure-reducing regulators 6 155-a are of the sameconstruction as that shown in Figure 6, and are in turn, connected,respectively, to the air-supply line 173-a attached to the spray-gun152, and to the air-supply line 153 of the paint-pumps mounted on thedrums in the paint-mixing room. A watereliminator and air-filter 217 maybe interposed in the air-line leading to the 'hose 173a and to the hose153.

The circulating junction-member 203 is also provided with a hydraulicpressure-gauge 218 connected thereto by a diaphragm 219, similar to thediaphragm 143 as shown in Figure 11.

Two paint-dispensers or spray-guns 152 in the dualline embodiment, maybe connected to the same paintdelivery line 206 and to the samepaint-return line 208 by separate circulating junction-members 203, asis shown in Figure 17.

The paint-return lines 209, which bring the un-used paint back to thedrums 30, may be connected to the by-pass valve-housing 210 mounted uponthe shield nected to the discharge port 142 thereof, extends down intothe paint-drum 30, as indicated particularly in Fig ure 7, so as tocause the returned paint to enter the drum 30 somewhere near the bottomthereof and to help the circulation and the intermingling of thereturn-flow with the main body of fluid in the drum.

Within the valve-housing 210, an inverted T-shaped air-passageway 212 isformed (asshown in Figure 15), independently of the paint-return andby-pass passageways (shown in Figure 14). To one side of the T-shapedair-passageway 212, the air-supply hose 153 is connected, while to theother side the air-delivery pipe or copper tubing 158 is connected whichleads to the inlet opening 57 of the motor-control valve 55. An airgauge 214 is connected to the third leg of the T to indicate theair-pressure being delivered to the air-motor 49. This housing 210 maybe secured to the pump-head by means of suitable bolts 213.

When two or more spray-guns 152 are used, the circulatingjunction-members 203 may be placed in parallel, as shown in Figure 17,or, if the painting operation with '10 two spray guns is carried on inapproximately the same general location, a series connection of thecirculatingjunction members may be used.

By the dual-line embodiment, uniformity of paintis more nearly assuredat the point of application, because any intermittent operation of thespray gun will yet not point of delivery, notwithstanding priorsedimentation during the shut-down.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 21 iiiclusive, the pump 82 issupported by a pair of pipes of smaller diameter, such as thepaint-delivery pipe or riser tube 83-a and the paint by-pass pipe 211-a,neither one of which encases the transmission shaft 77. Thus thepaint-delivery pipe 83-01 is screw-threadedly or otherwise rigidlyconnected to the discharge port 1118-11 of the pump housing, while itsupper end is similarly rigidly connected to the intake port 84-a of thehousing 42. Bypass-return pipe 211-0 is, in turn, rigidly connected tothe discharge port 142 of the paint-bypass valve in the housing 42, byscrew-threadedly engaging thereinto or otherwise being secured thereto,while the lower end of said bypass-return pipe 211-a is passed throughan opening 223 extending through the pump housing 82 and through thebearing plate 100, and secured therein by the set screw 224 threadedthrough the side of the pump-housing 82 and locked against the pipe211-a. By this means the pump is supported by the two parallel pipes83-a and 211-a; the former serving to deliver the paint from the pumpupwardly while the latter serving to return the paint downwardly anddischarging it above the propeller.

In this embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 21 inclusive, a 3-way plugvalve 25 having handle 226 is interposed between the paint inlet 84-01,and the bypass valve 130, and circulating paint-return port 227, to thethreaded inlet of which a paint return hose 209 may be connected from acirculating-junction member like the circulating-junction member 220shown in Figure 17.

Thus, by turning the 3-way valve 225 into the position shown in Figure18, the apparatus will function as a singleline embodiment, while whenturning the valve 225 into the position shown in Figure 18-0; theapparatus will function as a dual-line embodiment; being connected, inthe latter setting, to a circulating-junction member 220 by means oflines and 209, respectively.

Reference to paint, in the foregoing description and in the followingclaims, is intended also to comprehend liquids which are not paints butwhich may be handled and dispensed by the apparatus so described andclaimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. Liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an original opencontainer to a remote liquid dispenser, said apparatus comprising a lidto be placed over the original container of liquid and a rotarygear-pump and rotary agitator disposed beneath said pump, both pump andagitator carried by and supported beneath said lid and operativelyextending into the liquid, and a single motor operatively connected toboth said pump and said agitator.

2. Liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an original opencontainer to a remote liquid dispenser, said apparatus comprising a lidto be placed over the original container of liquid and a rotarygear-pump and rotary agitator carried by and supported beneath said lidand operatively extending into the liquid, and a single motor disposedabove and operatively connected both to said pump and to said agitator,said pump and said agitator being constructed and arranged so that theagitator will be disposed beneath and in close proximity to the inlet ofsaid inlet pump.

3. A motor-driven apparatus for handling paints and the like whichcontain fine, solid particles capable of settling out and for deliveringsuch paints or the iilre from original open containers, which apparatusincludes a gear-pump having its inlet arranged to be extended into theoriginal container, from above, into proximity of the bottom of thecontainer, and a rotary agitator carried by and beneath said pump andoperatively connected to and beneath the motor and driven simultaneouslythereby.

4. Dispensing apparatus for delivering paint or the like under pressurefrom an original open container, which apparatus includes an air motor,a gear pump operatively connected to and beneath said air motor andhaving its inlet extending downwardly so as to be capable of beinginserted into the original container into proximity of its bottom, and arotary agitator operatively connected with and disposed beneath saidpump to be driven simultaneously therewith.

5. Dispensing apparatus for delivering paint or the like under pressurefrom an original container to a remote dispenser, said apparatusincluding a riser tube, a gear-pump operatively connected to the bottomof the riser tube, a rotary agitator carried by said riser tube andoperatively connected to and disposed beneath said pump to be actuatedthereby, and a by-pass between the discharge side of said pump anddelivery outlet of said apparatus for the return of the paint from thedischarge side of the pump back into the container from which it waspumped, and a regulator for regulating the by-pass pressure, and a motoroperatively connected to and disposed above said pump for driving saidpump and said agitator.

6. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquidcontainer, a housing-member secured on said base-pen tion in anenveloping relation to said original liquidcontainer, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor affixed thereto, ashaft operatively connected to said motor and supported by saidpump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, a riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser tube within said eontainer andadjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid in said container may bewithdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, a hose-member connectedto the discharge end of said riser-tube through a passageway within saidpump-support and an agitator operatively connected to said shaft beneathsaid pump.

7. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquid-container, a housing-member secured on said base-portion in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor affixed thereto, ashaft operatively conne Mi to said motor and supported by saidpump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, a riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser-tube within said container andadjacent the bottom thereof, said pump including a by-pass passagewayhaving a check-valve therein, through which the liquid may be circulatedwhen the liquid-pressure in said riser-tube exceeds the by-pass pressureof said check-valve, whereby the liquid in said container may bewithdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, a hose-member in liquidcommunication with the discharge end of said risertube supported by saidpump-support and an agitator operatively connected to said shaft beneathsaid pump.

8. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquid-con- ,tainer, a housing-member secured on said baseportion in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor afiixed thereto, ashaft operatively connected to said motor and supported by saidpump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, a riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser-tube within said container andadjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid in said container may bewithdrawn by said pump through said risertube, a hose-member in liquidcommunication with the discharge end of said riser tube supported bysaid pump-support, a by-pass passageway having a check-valve thereinwithin said pump-support through which liquid may be circulated when thefluid-pressure in said hose-member exceeds the by-pass pressure of saidcheck-valve, and an agitator operatively connected to said shaft beneathsaid pump.

9. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a baseportion adapted to support said originalliquid-container, a housing-member secured on said baseportiou in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor afiixed thereto, ashaft operatively connected to said motor and supported by saidpump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, 21 riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser-tube within said container andadjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid in said container may bewithdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, a hose-member in liquidcommunication with t e discharge end of said riser-tube supported bysaid pump-support, a by-pass passageway having a check-valve thereinWithin said pump-support through which liquid may be circulated when thefluid-pressure in said hose-member exceeds the bypass pressure of saidcheck-valve, said check-valve including means whereby the by-passpressure of said passageway may be adjusted or regulated and an agitatoroperatively connected to said shaft beneath said pump.

10. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquid-container, a housing-member secured on said base-portion in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor afiixed thereto,said air-motor including means whereby the speed of said motor may beadjusted or regulated, a shaft operatively connected to said motor andsupported by said pump-support and depending beneath said pump-supportand within said housing member into said original container, ariser-tube surrounding said shaft and supported by said pump-support, afluid pump operatively connected to said shaft and said risertube withinsaid container and adjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid insaid container may be with drawn by said pump through said riser-tube, ahosemember in liquid communication with the discharge end of saidriser-tube supported by said pump-support, and an agitator operativelyconnected to said shaft beneath said pump.

11. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquid-container, a housing-member secured on said base-portion in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor aflited thereto, ashaft operatively connected to said motor and supported by saidpump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, a risertube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pumpsupport, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser-tube within said container andadjacent the bottom thereof, said pump including a pair of enmeshedgears, one of which is operatively connected to said shaft' and rotatestherewith and the other of which idly rotates upon a stationary shaftwithin said pump in operative juxtaposition to said first-named gear,said gears being exchangeable within said pump for gears of selectivelydifferent lengths, whereby the fluid-capacity of said pump may bevaried, whereby the liquid in said container may be withdrawn by saidpump through said riser-tube, a hose-member in liquid communication withthe discharge end of said riser-tube supported by said pump-support, andan agitator operatively connected. to said shaft beneath said pump.

12. A liquid-handling apparatus for delivering liquid from an originalopen merchandising liquid-container to a remote liquid dispenser, saidapparatus comprising a base-portion adapted to support said originalliquid-container, a housing-member secured on said base-portion in anenveloping relation to said original liquid-container, a pump-supportdisposed on said housing member having an air-motor afiixed thereto, ashaft operatively connected to said motor and supported by saidpumpsupport and depending beneath said pump-support and within saidhousing member into said original container, a riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to said shaft and said riser-tube within said container andadjacent the bottom thereto, whereby the liquid in said container may bewithdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, a hose-member in liquidcommunication with the discharge end of said riser-tube supported bysaid pump-support, a return-line from said dispenser to said originalcontainer through which the unused liquid may be returned to saidorginal container, said return-line including an adjustable valvewhereby the liquid will not be returned to said original container untilthe fluid-pressure in said return line exceeds the by-pass pressure ofsaid valve, and an agitator operatively connected to said shaft beneathsaid pump.

13. In a paint-mixing and paint-dispensing apparatus, a housing-memberadapted to rest upon the upper edge of an original merchandisingcontainer, adjustable means operatively connected to said housing memberwhereby the plane of said housing-member may be adjusted with respect tothe plane of the edge of said original merchandising container, apump-support disposed on said housing member having an air-motor affixedthereto, a shaft operatively connected to said motor and supported bysaid pump-support and depending beneath said pumpsupport and saidhousing member into said original cont'ainer, a riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to the lower end of said shaft and said riser-tube within saidcontainer and adjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid in saidcontainer may be withdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, ahose-member in liquid communication with the upper discharge end of saidriser-tube supported by said pump-support, and a rotary agitatoroperatively connected to said shaft beneath said pump. 7

14. In a paint-mixing and paint-dispensing apparatus, a housing-memberadapted to rest upon the upper edge of an original merchandisingcontainer, adjustable means operatively connected to said housing memberwhereby the plane of said housing-member may be adjusted with respect tothe plane of the edge of said original merchandising container, apump-support disposed on said housing member having an air-motor aflixedthereto, a shaft operatively connected to said motor and supported bysaid pump-support and depending beneath said pump-support and saidhousing member into said original container, at riser-tube surroundingsaid shaft and supported by said pump-support, a fluid-pump operativelyconnected to the lower end of said shaft and said riser-tube within saidcontainer and adjacent the bottom thereof, whereby the liquid in saidcontainer may be withdrawn by said pump through said riser-tube, ahose-member in liquid communication with the upper discharge end of saidriser-tube supported by said pump-support, a fluid return-lineoperatively connected to the discharge end of said riser tube throughwhich the unused liquid may be returned to said original container, saidreturn-line having an adjustable valve therein whereby the liquid willnot be returned to said original container until the fiuid-pres-- surein said return-line exceeds the by-pass pressure of said valve, and arotary agitator operatively connected to said shaft beneath said pump.

15. In a paint-mixing and paint-dispensing apparatus, a pump-supportadapted to be positioned upon the upper open end of an originalmerchandising liquid-container, said support having a shaft rotatablyjournalled therein and extending therebeneath, a fluid-pump supported atthe lower end of said shaft, a discharge conduit extending from saidpump and connected to a fluid-passageway in said pump-support, a motoron said pumpsupport operatively connected to the upper end of saidshaft, a discharge port in said pump-support through which the liquidmay be discharged from said passageway and delivered to a liquiddispenser, an intake port in said pump-support to which the unusedliquid may be returned from the dispenser, said intake port beingoperatively connected to said passageway in said support and throughwhich said unused paint may be returned through a second discharge portto said original open container, and a valve-member in said passagewaywhich selectively connects said conduit to the first-named dischargeport or to the second-named discharge port, or which connects saidintake port to said second-named discharge port.

16. In a liquid supply system, a pump-support disposed above the openend of an original merchandising fluid-container, a gear-pumpoperatively connected to said pump-support and disposed therebeneath injuxtaposition to the bottom of said original container, a rotaryagitator operatively connected to and disposed beneath said pump, aliquid-delivery line and a liquidreturn line each connected to saidfluid-pump and to a liquid dispenser, an air-motor mounted on saidsupport above said pump and operatively connected to said pump, at leastone air-control valve operatively connected to said air-motor, whereby ameasured and controlled quantity of air may be supplied to the liquiddispenser.

17. In a liquid supply system, a pump-support disposed above the openend of an original merchandising fluidcontainer, a gear-pump operativelyconnected to said pump-support and disposed therebeneath injuxtaposition to the bottom of said original container, a rotaryagitator operatively connected to and disposed beneath said pump, aliquid-delivery line connected to said fluid-pump and to a liquiddispenser, a liquid return-line operatively connected to said dispenserand to a passageway in said pump-support through which unused liquid maybe returned to said original container, and a valve in said last-namedpassageway whereby the fluid-pressure in said return-line may beregulated, an air-motor mounted on said support above said pump andoperatively connected to said pump, at least one air-control valveoperatively connected to said air-motor, whereby a measured andcontrolled quantity of air may be supplied to the liquid dispenser.

18. In a liquid supply system, a pump-support disposed above the openend of an original merchandising fluid-container, a gear-pumpoperatively connected to said pump-support and disposed therebeneath injuxtaposition to the bottom of said original container, a rotaryagitator operatively connected to and disposed beneath said pump, aliquid-delivery line connected to said fluid-pump and to a liquiddispenser, a liquid return-line operatively connected to said dispenserand to a passageway in said pump-support through which unused liquid maybe returned to said original container, and a valve in said last-namedpassageway whereby the fluid-pressure in said return-line may beregulated, a second valve and bypass in said liquid-delivery line whichselectively connects the delivery line to the last-named passagewaywhereby liquid may be circulated through said passageway from said pumpback into said container without passing through said delivery-line, anair-motor mounted on said support above said pump and operativelyconnected to said pump, at least one air-control valve operativelyconnected to said air-motor, whereby a measured and controlled quantityof air may be supplied to the liquid-dispenser.

19. A paint-dispenser adapted for detachable mountting above and for usewith a container which is open to the atmosphere, such as an originalvendable merchandising container or the like containing paint andadapted to take in paint from the paint-supply in such container atatmospheric pressure and to deliver the paint to a sprayer at anelevated pressure, said paint-dispenser including a detachablesupporting-cover, a pump carried by said cover at a level so far beneathsaid cover that said pump wiil be emersed in the paint in proximity tothe bottom of the container, said pump having its intakeport facingdownwardly, a discharge conduit connected with the discharge-port ofsaid pump and extending upwardly and through said cover, acompressed-gas motor carried by said cover, a power-delivery rodextending from said motor to said pump and arranged to propel thelatter, a compressed-gas line connected to said motor, acompressed-gas-propelled agitator having its agitator member at a levelin proximity to the level of the intakeport of said pump and having itsmotor above the paintlevel, said compressed-gas-propelled agitator beingconnected to the aforesaid compressed-gas line, a return-conduitemptying into said container and communicating with said pump-dischargeconduit, and an adjustable flow-restrictor in said return-conduit forregulating the pressure of the return-flow.

20. A dual-line circulating paint-dispenser adapted for detachablemounting above and for use with a container which is open to theatmosphere, such as an original vendable merchandising container or thelike containing paint and adapted to take in paint from the paintsupplyin such container at atmospheric pressure and to deliver the paint at anelevated pressure to a circulating junction member near a spray-gun, towhich circulating junction member such spray-gun is connected, saiddispenser including a detachable supporting-cover, a pump carried bysaid cover at a level so far beneath said cover that said pump will beemersed in the paint in proximity to the bottom of the container, saidpump having its intake-port facing downwardly, a discharge conduitconnected with the discharge-port of said pump and extending upwardlyand through said cover, a compressed-gas motor carried by said cover, apower-delivery rod extending from said motor to said pump and arrangedto propel the latter, a compressed-gas line connected to said motor, acompressed-gas-propelled agitator having its agitator member at a levelin close proximity to the level of the intakeport of said pump andhaving its motor above the paint-level, said compressed-gas-propelledagitator being connected to the aforesaid compressed-gas line, apaint-return port member carried by said cover adapted to have apaint-return line from the aforementioned circulating junction memberconnected thereto, an adjustable fiow-restrictor in said paint-returnport member, said paint-return port member having a discharge fordischarging the return-flow of paint into said container, saidpaint-return port member being in non-communicating relationship to saidpump.

21. Liquid-supplying apparatus for delivering liquid from a container inwhich the liquid is at atmospheric pressure, to a remote air-operatedspray gun, said apparatus including a base-portion adapted to support aliquid container open to the atmosphere, a generally uprighthousing-member demountably carried by said baseportion for envelopingsuch container supported on said base-portion, an air-motor carried bysaid housing-member at the top thereof, a liquid pump carried by anddepending from the top of said housing-member beneath and in alignmentwith said air-motor and being spaced from the top of said housing memberin a downward direction a distance such that it will be disposed nearthe bottom of the container on said base-portion when saidhousing-member is mounted on said base-portion in enveloping relation tosuch container, an operatingrod interconnecting said air-motor and saidpump, a distributor-head carried by said housing-member at the topthereof, said distributor-head having a liquid chamber therein, an inletthereto, a liquid-discharge passageway extending from said chamber and aliquid-return passageway extending from said chamber for permitting are-circulating of the liquid from said container through saiddistributor-head and back to the container, a pressure-regulatingflow-restrictor in said liquid-return passageway, a riser-tube extendingfrom the discharge port of said pump to the inlet of saiddistributor-head, a hose connected to said discharge passageway fordelivering liquid therefrom to a spray-gun, a compressed-air passagewaycarried by said housing-member at the top thereof for receivingcompressed-air from a source thereof, said compressed-air passagewayextending to said air-motor, an air-pressure regulator carried by saidhousing-member and having its inlet connected with said compressedairpassageway, and a hose connected to the discharge outlet of saidregulator for delivering compressed-air to the aforementioned spray-gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,800,333 Wertz Apr. 14, 1931 1,834,321 Tervo Dec. 1, 1931 1,861,393Henrietta May 31, 1932 1,879,221 Harrigan Sept. 27, 1932 1,960,389McFerran May 29, 1934 1,962,623 Sweetland June 12, 1934 1,976,957 MorrisOct. 16, 1934 2,169,514 Buzzard et al Aug. 15, 1939 2,294,705 WedebergSept. 1, 1942

